Charlie Rose’s coworkers reacted to their colleague’s suspension from CBS News during their morning broadcast, calling it a “difficult day.”
WATCH:
Eight women accused Rose of sexual harassment in a Washington Post piece on Monday, and CBS suspended Rose shortly thereafter.
“This is a tough morning here,” correspondent Bianna Golodryga said before reporting on the story on CBS “This Morning.” “Norah, we at CBS, as difficult as this is, think that it is very important that we hear from all of these women.”
“Well said, Bianna, and I know Gayle and I have talked about that,” anchor Norah O’Donnell responded, “how courageous it is to be able to share this because for many of them it’s been something that they’ve kept silent.”
“They’ve suffered in silence, and it shows that people are listening … and that there are consequences for your actions,” anchor Gayle King asserted.
Later in the show, the cohost discussed the allegations at greater length and promised that they would not be giving Rose a pass for his behavior, even though he is a longtime colleague.
“This is a moment that demands a frank and honest assessment about where we stand and more generally the safety of women,” O’Donnell said. “Let me be very clear: There is no excuse for this alleged behavior. It is systematic and pervasive.”
“Oprah called me and said, ‘Are you OK?’ I am not OK,” King explained. “After reading that article in the Post — it was deeply disturbing — troubling and painful for me to read.”
King said she is having a tough time grappling with the fact that a friend of hers could have been a serial harasser, but said, “Charlie does not get a pass here.”